Welcome back

I thought I’d fill in this week between Christmas and New Year with a couple of short posts and some random photos, just to get my mind back in the blog game. I left you on the 22^nd, and now it’s the 28^th, and over the last six days, I’ve done… well, not a lot.

On Christmas Eve, we went down to Yialos for those last-minute bits and pieces and a check of the post and various couriers, picking up a couple of things but not the star Christmas present for godson #1, which is still delayed by the overloaded post. Not to worry, it will get here at some point. The weather, as you can see, was calm, clear and not too cold, in fact, it was very warm on the north side of the harbour when I went to raid the bank. The municipality speakers were playing carols, and there was a festive air.

Here in Greece, we were allowed two days of mingling of up to nine people from only two households which meant we were able to spend Christmas day in more or less usual fashion with the good boys and their mum. There were many highlights, but for me, a concert by godson #2 was up there as the top moment.

I’d been teaching him (by video), and he wanted to specific play a carol for his mum, and once the keyboard was set up in the kitchen, that piece was duly played as a surprise and played very well. But then there was a surprise for me as he’d also taught himself four more carols which I knew nothing about. Apart from anything else, this reinforced to me his interest in and ability to read music and perform it, so I was very chuffed, and more than a little proud. After that, it was a day of fun and feasting before we had to leave and be home before the curfew.

Now, we’re back to the usual lockdown, into our 50^th day, or 51^st by now, of what in the uk they call a tier four. Except here, we have to have permission to go to the shop, bank, doctor, for a walk and so on, as there’s a track and trace system in place as there has been when necessary since late March or Early April.

All that aside, it’s now time to get back to the usual routine. It’s Sunday as I prepare this note, and I’m about to head back into another novel while resisting the temptation to continue my way through the box of Celebrations and other chocolates and the homemade selection box Neil made for me. I must get back online and order some more modelling paints as there’s a new Phantom waiting to be constructed and I need more colours (mainly black), which I can only get from Germany. At least, I’ve not found an outlet for Revel paint in Greece as yet, though there may well be one. That search could be a New Year project along with walking off the chocolate overload and writing more stories. Let’s see how the week goes.

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Off for a break – but where to?

I’m going to be off for a few days now, the only question is, where will I go? I may travel as far as the balcony, or if I can afford it, up to the roof to look at the view. For a change, I might spend some time with the vacuum cleaner. Then there is always the possibility of investigating the cupboard under the laundry sink. That would be a new and as yet unexplored region. (Actually, I do need to get under there and see where the smell is coming from, but as long as I do it before the summer when it gets evil, it can wait.) There is the allure of the exotic climbs of the bathroom and its exciting growth of black mould spots. Apparently, visitors are invited to join the eco programme and help eradicate it from the ceiling, so I can be environmentally friendly while I’m at it. Perhaps I’ll go further afield, to say, the butcher’s, or the supermarket and its all-inclusive attractions of humour, gossip and assault course. If I take my ropes and harness, I could descend to the harbour for one last check of the post later in the week and scale the steps back up, that could be an adventure. Or maybe I’ll just hang out at the desk and work on this idea I have for a story involving a charter called Barbary Fleet set somewhere in the 1880s, and see what happens.

Whatever I do, I will be back now and then, maybe more then than now, so don’t panic if you don’t hear from me until next weekend or the year after. Have a good one, and here’s wishing you seasonal good tidings and all that from over here in Symi.

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Winter Solstice – Win a Signed Book

It’s Winter Solstice today, so happy solstice to those who celebrate it. I wrote a post on my other blog about the solstice and the part it plays in one of my novels. A quick look at my Amazon page and the blurbs for my books there will make it obvious which one. I mention that because all this month I have been running a competition on my other author Facebook page, giving quotes from my novels and inviting people to guess or say which book that quote is from. There is a prize on offer, a signed paperback copy of ‘Banyak & Fecks’ my historical novel about life in the East End in the 1880s. Every correct answer to the 23-day quiz will go into a virtual hat and one drawn at random will win the book and be announced on Christmas Eve. Anyone can enter, and today’s quote is drawn from one of my James Collins books. I know that many Symi Dream readers have read some of these books, for which I am internally grateful, and so you might recognise today’s quote from the description on Amazon. If you do, head to my Facebook page and comment with your answer. Feel free to like and share the page too if you would.

So, from what novel (or its description) does this quote come?

“…finds himself the unwitting hero in a struggle between superstition and sense, denial and love, with no escape from either.”

There, that done, I can now return you to our regular programming and show you some of Neil’s recent photos of Symi.

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Random Friday Photos

Here are some random photos to see us through the weekend. Well, clearly some are not that random as a certain bear appears in more than one, and there are a couple with a Christmas theme. Neil took these on some of his walks, and down in Yialos where the decorations are festive, particularly in the early morning.

As for next week, I’m not sure what days I’ll be posting my nonsense, but keep an eye out. We’re able to bubble-mingle or something over some of the holiday days, and there may be some family-fun photos going around after next week. Until then, I’m not sure what I am doing, apart from checking for deliveries every day. I’ve been reading people’s posts in various groups about how parcels from the yUK are being affected by the end of the transition period and may be further affected by Brexit when it all goes tits up in a couple of weeks. Basically, it seems the post office have said they are unable to send parcels from Greece to the yUK, only letters, but I haven’t checked that out yet. Anyway… here are the photos, have a good weekend.

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Ramble

It seems to me, the busiest places on Symi right now are the post office and delivery stations for couriers. Hardly surprising as much is being ordered online, especially in the run-up to Christmas. As well as singing carols this year, we should be singing the praises of the post office and courier workers who keep our post flowing. It’s not uncommon to be walking somewhere, or (when you could) having lunch at a taverna, and someone comes past, stops their motorbike and says, ‘You have a delivery.’ Often, a few minutes later, they return with that delivery and drop it off at your table. I’ve had text messages, phone calls and messenger messages from the staff at the post office, bookshop, ACS and newsagent informing me that something has arrived, and it’s that kind of personal touch that brings a smile and helps make this place what it is.

That was just my first thought as I sat down to post some pictures I took on Tuesday when wandering up the hill on a cold, but at least, non-raining morning. I must have been on the path before feeding time as the goats and sheep were gathering, bleating and baaring at me as if I was a delivery person come with a bucket of feed. On the way back, I passed Arabi the goatherd dog and his team, and sad to see, noticed he was walking on three legs and hanging one of his back legs and not using it. He was in the company of a pup, so I assume Arabi is nearing retirement age and passing on his knowledge to a younger generation, as is the way of the shepherding world.

I also saw a fair few Lefterises gathering by the bus stop at dawn, and a couple passed me on the way up the mountain on their bikes. It was Lefteris’ name day, and I assume they were heading to a country chapel. The parish church, by Zoi’s Taverna was festooned with flags and lights, and the bells had been ringing there the previous evening. So, some things continue as usual, or as best they can under current restrictions. That’s also what I am doing, with my daily typing session in the mornings, though the afternoon sessions have fallen by the wayside a little in favour of a warm sitting room and the ease of television. I’ll get back to a full writing schedule after Christmas.

For now, I’m happy to take things easy and wait for inspiration to strike. It happens even when I sit down to write… something, not knowing exactly what, and pump out a few thousand words. It may be rubbish, but it’s still training if nothing else. I feel a little as though, after completing ‘Banyak & Fecks‘, I’ve rather drained myself as if I’m not currently sure if I can write anything as good for a while. I’m sure I can, but maybe not until I’ve had a break.

Anyway, that was another stream of semi-consciousness thought as I can’t think of anything else to say right now. I have a mug of decaf to warm my fingers, and an idea for something to write, so I’ll turn my attention to that as soon as I’ve posted this ready to go in the morning.

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